Altering an Emerson La Griffe...

S

SpyderJon

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
2,038
I'm a little curious about knife ettiquete here. I wouldn't mind an Emerson La Griffe, but I might want to alter it- is that something that's not cool? Specifically I was thinking about having some custom slabs on it- perhaps even some filework done on the tang? I'm not looking to get hurt here, I'm just wondering what the standard procedure here is!

If it IS cool, who does good work in this type of thing, if NOT, then let me know so I don't offend someone without meaning to!
 
It's your knife...alter it any way you want. Don't worry about offending anyone in this way. If you're here long enough, you're bound to offend someone. Don't worry about it.

Paul
 
Once it belongs to you , you can do what you want with it. Go for it and show us what it looks like when you are done.
 
Avoided? Hell, "hot rod-ing" and aftermarket customization is to be encouraged.
 
Check out some of Fred Perrin's original La Griffes on Bladeart and Szabo Inc. for ideas on handle slabs. You might want to try some handle wraps with paracord for fun, before you go into anything more permanent.

Like the others said, go for it! Aftermarket customization is a business, too, and doing it yourself is a great way to get a real feel for your equipment. (Why does that sound vaguely obscene?)

Customizers should seize this opportunity to sign you up as a customer! but I'll let someone who knows more about them than I do recommend someone. :D
 
Esav's idea with the paracord sounds really good, especially being that Emerson's LaGriff is much more tactical than Fred Perrin's custom ones.
Either black or dark green would look pretty awesome I think.

In any case good luck with the alterations.
 
Fred Perrin has spent years perfecting the design of the La Griffe, and Ernie Emerson has applied his equal experience in CQC to enhance the performance, and you want to fu#$ with it?!!! :mad:

...then you autta' fit right in with the looney tunes around here!

I am looking forward to putting some cord wrap or handle slabs on my Emie LG too!

I don't know what's wrong with Perrin and Emerson! They been working on this design for years, and they still don't make it exacty like I want it! ;)

Actually, my Large (3.5") Perrin LG is so perfect, I bought two, and I am ordering a dress version!

Hope you get the idea. Knife customizing is a blast, and there is nothing taboo about it at all...er, except for the Spyderco Gunting, in which case, (shhhhhhh!)...don't tell Bram! :cool:
 
I thank you all for your commentary!I think I would like to try some alterations...is there anywhere I could learn about what goes into things like filework? Is there anywhere that I could get to know people who do this kind of work?

-The paracord wrapping sounds cool, but how hard is it to do on a knife that small? I've seen some nice wrapping jobs done on knives like the Camillus Arclite, but I haven't seen anything that really blew my skirt up on the knives with smaller handles. But thanks for the feedback, and please feel free to keep it coming!
 
Cord wrapping is a huge improvement for grip ergos. I'm sure someone could easily slap a couple of scales on one too. I had a REKAT Fang done up w/ micarta slabs & it's my inside-the-jacket-pocket carry. For cord wrapping instructions, check out the Strider Knives website- they do a kick-ass cord wrap. (don't have the url handy- sorry)
 
LMAO! Rugger you beat me to it. I was going to recommend the Strider site aswell.
Anyway here is the URL: www.striderknives.com
 
Do a search on "wrap", and you will find a fair amount of info on cord wrap. Should be able to find something on file work too. One of the regular maker-members has some guidelines on his web site. Was it Ed Caffrey?

For wrapping something as small as the Emer LG, you can just get yourself some synthetic shoe strings and play around until you get something that feels and looks good.

For some cool inspiration, check out the handle on the LaGriffe the background pic on Fred's web site:

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/2292/entree.htm
 
:D I don't think you need to worry one bit about altering the knife. Unless, of course, you screw it up and turn it in to a piece of scrap metal. But that shouldn't happen with knowledge and care of what you do.

Strictly speaking, a lot of us have already altered the La Griffe just by sharpening it. I know I've heard quite a few people say that the blade was improved when the bevel was reduced to produce a slightly more acute edge.

Then there are the paracord wraps, the wood slabs....

Go for it, then show us some pictures. :)
 
Hi,

I was very inspired by the Strider wrap and i found it turned out pretty good on my EKI La Griffe, here:
 

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